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Woman Dies After Lap-Band Procedure—5th So Far

Her outpatient center calls story 'premature'

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 24, 2011 2:56 PM CDT

(Newser) – Lap-Band surgery appears to have claimed another victim. A woman in Orange County, Calif., died earlier this month after undergoing the procedure, the fifth to expire since the 1-800-GET-THIN advertising campaign started two years ago, the Los Angeles Times reports. Paula Rojeski, 55, was 5 foot 5 and weighed around 180 pounds when she underwent the stomach surgery to discourage overeating.

A lawyer for Rojeski's outpatient center called "any loss of life is tragic," but said "reporting on this matter is premature." Lap-Band surgery deaths have already sparked several lawsuits, aimed at medical centers, doctors, and even the Times for its stories. All Rojeski wanted was a way to finally slim down. "She was really excited, really happy. She told me, 'I'm going to be skinny!'" says a friend. "I was a supportive friend, but I didn't think she needed it. I don't understand why it would be worth the risk for 20 or 30 pounds."

An Orange County, Calif., woman died after having Lap-Band surgery earlier this month. (Flickr)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 16 comments

ElleMonkey

Sep 26, 2011 8:51 AM CDT

Lap bands aren't for people like this woman, to my knowledge. They are for obese people, not for people who are 20 or 30 lbs overweight. If you only have 20/30 to lose, go start running, don't run to an operating table.

realtruth

Sep 26, 2011 8:10 AM CDT

Many Many more are Ok and much better and healther while thin.

hmschlmom1

Sep 25, 2011 3:18 AM CDT

This death is so sad...but the fact that people found this story amusing is sadder yet.

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Woman Dies After Lap-Band Procedure—5th So Far

Her outpatient center calls story 'premature'

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

obesity • surgery • weight loss • Orange County • overweight • lap band surgery

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